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Thread: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

  1. #1

    Default Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Part of the enjoyment of building mandolins is the research that goes into a recreating an historic instrument. I certainly learned a lot about the historic development of the mandolin while building this mandolino. I also learned that there are a lot of conflicting opinions out there!

    Most of the articles I read tend to agree that the term “mandolino” describes a 6 course instrument that descended from the lute. The first ones had a fretboard that was level with the soundboard, six strings, and side-facing pegs similar to a violin. These were generally called “Milanese”. Later, a raised fretboard was introduced, but with the same 6 string configuration. These were generally referred to as “Lombardic”. The main distinction from the mandolin is the tuning in 4th’s rather than 5th’s like the contemporary mandolin family.

    The Lute Society of America simply refers to this style as “Mandolino”, as the smallest of the lute family.
    My example would probably best be described as Milanese. It is made of curly walnut with a Sitka spruce top, and geared tuners. I have it tuned dGCEAD (low to high) with a 330mm scale.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  3. #2
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Very nice, thanks for posting. I like that renaissance look.

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  5. #3
    Registered User sebastiaan56's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    That is sweet indeed! Aquila strings? How did you cut the rosette?

    Seems like the bowlback revival is underway :-)

  6. #4

    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Quote Originally Posted by sebastiaan56 View Post
    That is sweet indeed! Aquila strings? How did you cut the rosette?

    Seems like the bowlback revival is underway :-)
    Thank you Sebastiaan. Yes, it seems to be bowlback season! The strings are Sevarez, and were sized for me by Boston Catlines. I didnt like the carbon G string, so I used an Aquila wound G. The rose was laser cut by my local engraver.

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    Pataphysician Joe Bartl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    David, Is a sound sample in the works?

  9. #6

    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    As soon as I can figure out how to play a tune

  10. #7
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    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Lovely instrument. Did you base the shape of your bowl on a particular model, or a combination of them?

  11. #8

    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Quote Originally Posted by tom.gibson View Post
    Lovely instrument. Did you base the shape of your bowl on a particular model, or a combination of them?
    Thank you Tom. Definitely a combination of the dozens of examples found on the web...but mostly this one:
    Click image for larger version. 

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  13. #9
    Pataphysician Joe Bartl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Newly completed Mandolino Milanese

    Note Neil Gladd's posting in the Italian Mandolin music thread about his upcoming CD publication which will include Angelo Alfieri's 1903 Pathe recordings on a Milanese mandolino: http://www.neilgladd.com/Publications/GLADDISC.html

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